Podcast episode 9 sees us tackle the topic of women in business – balancing family and company. We are very fortunate to have yet another inspiring collaborator in the form of Antoinette Hewitt, CEO of Alux-Living. As a business owner and mum, Antoinette kindly offered to discuss her challenges.
Go to the bottom of the article to find the links to listen to the podcast.
Power women in business
Antoinette runs Alux-Living, a one-stop property investment hub. Originating from the South, her business specialises in property investment, construction and deconstruction. Alux-Living aims to build a long-term legacy for people, their children and their children’s children. This sometimes involves property renovation for investment purposes.
At the same time as juggling investments, her team, construction and maintenance work for clients, Antoinette also has four lovely children. This presents a challenge to balance family and company, which she manages with aplomb. Antoinette hails from Essex, describes herself as spiritual, disciplined and busy and would love a quiet night in once in a while.
Balancing children and business
We started off with the big question to find out exactly how she does it. Antoinette is keen to point out the set routine and discipline she applies with her children. The repetition, planning and routine are necessary for her to manage her energies.
In terms of setting up her own business, Antoinette points out that working for the NHS, she had flexibility with her children. The focus on health and wellbeing meant that she could manage this, which contrasts with private companies. As a result, Antoinette set up her own business to retain the necessary flexibility.
Her main tip for aspiring business owners asks, “How strong are your shoulders?”. She had a long-term vision and acknowledges that it takes “a very durable individual” i.e. resilience. Additionally, she keenly advocates for planning to keep you on track.
Woman in business in a man’s world
Antoinette points out that in the construction business, “I am living in a man’s world”. This is one of the main challenges she has faced to date, though she really enjoys it. Steven points out that it should not be her problem when men struggle being managed by a woman.
She has also faced her fair share of naysayers, as she elaborates on the negative missives. These include, “You can’t do it. It won’t work.” Antoinette very much espouses her determination and strength in pursuing what she needs. This echoes her message around resilience.
A flexible economic balance
Steven comments on the fact that it is estimated that 400,000 left the workforce in the last 2 years. These people have not left the UK due to Brexit, retired, become self-employed or signed on as unemployed. He poses the question of whether the lack of flexible work opportunities is part of the problem. Antoinette recalls a trend before the pandemic of increased busyness and less free time. She wonders if the trials of modern life are putting pressure on work and people are placing more priority on self.
She suggests that having flexibility is not a bad thing. This encourages people to deploy their talents in different and unique ways. After all, the pandemic has shown people that you don’t have to go to work, to school etc.
Social mobility and discrimination facing women in business
Steven asked how the UK performs on social mobility and discrimination. Are we improving or worsening? Antoinette comes from a humble background and has fought her way to being her own boss. She suggests that we are going in reverse in some ways. “I do feel as a woman…there are these hurdles that we have to overcome”. In effect, she lives “two lives” as a mum as well as a business owner.
On race, she suggests that we are not making progress. There are times when race becomes a hurdle. She says that, “I have had quite a few scenarios, where blatantly it was to do with my race”. This is something that Antoinette turns into a positive if you push through it and show what you can do. She suggests that the hurdle may be the stereotypes or biases she has to overcome. In terms of social mobility, she says that, “there are a lot of doors that need another key”. She links this to resilience and how willing you are to go after the keys, which may not be reachable.
As a final note on motherhood, Antoinette reflects on the fact that, “You have other little people to think about. Other little humans”. This is borne out in the strength she feels she needs to manage everything, testing how strong you are.
If we don’t go through things, where’s our story?
We round off the podcast with a positive. Antoinette has had quite a journey and many struggles to share, which adds to her story. She referred to this earlier as “the law of attraction”, making her interesting when doing business.
We would like to thank Antoinette of Alux-Living for her open and honest opinions on women in business. She has an inspiring story that we were keen to share with you all.
Think Beyond is a management consultancy that focuses on value creation, for the C-Suite and also marketers. We help businesses to find new opportunities and accelerate business performance. So, if you need support with anything from strategic planning to transformation or research to assurance, why not ask for a call back.
Finally, why not check out some of our other podcasts on various business topics.
To listen to the podcast, check the following links to Anchor, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
